He chuckled silently as he read through the options for his sin ability. He has been looking forward to them. The options for the UPGRADABLE section are normal for him and expected but the SIN ABILITY section isn't normal even by his abnormal standards but it is to be expected.
Aeternus knew about the privilege that genius mid-rank demons who were able to meet the requirements for upgrading the quality of their sin energy into the pinnacle rank without actually being a high-rank demon. This requirement is fusing sin energy and mana. He has long met this requirement as a low-rank demon.
In fact, he has gone beyond it since he started using chaotic power. The fusion of sin energy and mana creates a unified energy. Chaotic power is a unified energy of better quality. It was in the extreme rank, a step above the pinnacle rank when he was a low-rank demon. It moved to the half-divine rank after its second evolution. It would have upgraded to the divine rank if he can pass the trial of the abyss.
An extreme rank sin energy requires the help of the power of the plane. The energy well of the plane will enhance the energy of whoever has bonded with it, to the extreme rank. There can only be one demon that has bound the energy well to itself, hence, there can only be one demon lord.
He has even gone beyond that level of assistance and because of his unique circumstances, he has more potential when evolving to the high-rank stage. He has the choice to pick 3 out of 6 abilities beyond his stage or he can choose 6 normal abilities fitting for his rank.
He didn't even consider the option for normal abilities after a quick glance. Most often than not, quality always trumps quantity and it is true in this situation. There are even unique sin abilities, they are rare ability that is out of the norm. No amount of normal abilities can make up for missing a single one much less three of them.
The available options for rewarding his potential are at least Legendary in their base form when compared with the normal ones for his rank.
They would each have their limits and certain conditions for activation but they are too extraordinary.
He would like to take them all but his options have been limited to 3 out of 6. The decision isn't too difficult for him since some of them are restricted and one is too unpredictable. The essence of envy and the authority of chaos are both abilities that demon kings have after passing the trial of the abyss and evolving from a demon Lord into a powerhouse of the abyss.
From the knowledge he acquired from demon lord Dakon, the trial of the abyss is no joke. There is no knowledge of the trial because no demon king has ever spoken of it. All that is known is that the few that pass it become demon kings and the others are never heard from again. That's why Dakon the demon lord that tried to possess Gehaldirah joined the demon invasion of the Life plane to acquire life essence which will improve his chances during the trial.
Life essence has been known to help.
If Aeternus had a stronger soul which is in good condition and some preparation, he would take the trial but he couldn't right now. Which means he will have to be content with the choices he has now.
The spite of envy is an upgrade over normal sin abilities for high-rank demons. It is practically composed of three normal activities put together. Niva the beholder had the mirror that could reflect physical attacks but the spite of envy can do better.
The accumulation of chaos is an ability that demon nobles should get while the oath of the Lord is meant for a demon Lord that's why it needs access to the Energy well of the plane but he is sure he can make it work. His own is unique and tailored for him.
He selected them and another screen with their grades showed up. Their level ranged from Common to Divine rank. Their cost also increased exponentially by a factor of 10. Still, the cost of 100, 000, 000 units for their divine quality didn't bother him at all.
With his selection made, he began to evolve.
Meanwhile, At the Centre of the Abyss Plane. The moment Aeternus invoked the power of an Origin god's domain.
The center of the plane is where the energy well is. The energy well is a pillar of concentrated sin energy that reached the sky. Sin energy pours out of the pillar into the plane and spreads to every corner of the plane but its concentration drops as it spreads.
This pillar is also called the waypoint as it is present throughout all the planes of the abyss and can be used to access the other planes. Going through the pillar can lead you to another plane at random or not if you have a specific destination. But only high-rank demons and above can use it. They have the necessary resistance to the allure of all that sin energy and not become lost in it.
While the concentration of sin energy varies across the plane, Mana on the other hand is equal in concentration throughout the plane except in a few odd places. But as a demon grows stronger, their reliance on sin energy outweighs their need for mana. So they discard mana by fusing it with sin energy and creating a unified energy.
This unified energy is the pinnacle rank energy required to become a demon noble and acquire Accumulation. It can be replenished by both sin energy and mana but is stronger than both of them.
A demon Lord is crowned when he or she binds the pillar to themselves. They get to upgrade their unified energy in power and also have an infinite supply of it from the energy well. It is how a demon noble evolves to become a demon Lord.